Skip to content

Call our helpline

0300 180 0028
How to use the keyboard one-handed in macOS 10.15 Catalina

How to use the keyboard one-handed in macOS 10.15 Catalina

In this article

How to enable Sticky Keys
Using Sticky Keys

How to enable Sticky Keys

  1. Select the Apple icon  in the top left corner of the screen.
  2. Select System Preferences from the menu.
    The Apple menu with System Preferences highlighted
  3. On the System Preferences window, select the Accessibility icon.
  4. On the Accessibility screen, select Keyboard in the left column.
  5. In the right column, select the Hardware tab.
  6. Tick the checkbox for Enable Sticky Keys.
  7. If you would like to be able to turn Sticky Keys on or off using a keyboard shortcut, select Options.
  8. On the options screen, tick the checkbox for Press the Shift key five times to toggle Sticky Keys. You can now turn Sticky Keys on or off by pressing the Shift key five times in a row.
  9. When a ‘sticky’ key is active, an indicator will appear in the top-right corner of the screen.
  10. To change the position of the indicator, select the drop-down menu for Display pressed keys on screen and choose a new position. Choose from:
    • Top Right
    • Top Left
    • Bottom Right
    • Bottom Left
  11. When you are finished, click the Close (red) button in the top left corner of the System Preferences window.

Using Sticky Keys

  1. To use Sticky Keys, press the keys for the required shortcut, one after the other.
  2. To keep any of the modifier keys (Cmd, Alt, Shift, Ctrl) ‘pressed’, press it twice. To ‘un-press’ a key, press it a third time.
  3. The on-screen indicator will show which modifier keys you have pressed. If you pressed the key once, the icon will be grey. If you pressed the key twice, the icon will be white.

Note: If this does not work it could be because someone else manages your computer settings (an IT department or administrator). If this is the case, you will need to contact them to access these settings or for further help.

Need some more help?

Call our helpline 0300 180 0028 or email enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk

Need free IT Support at Home?

If you are older or disabled and need IT support at home, you can book a free home visit.